Leach, Vanecek Named Fantasy Team/Golden Goalie Participants

Jan 7, 2016

01/07/2016 2:36 PM -

The ECHL announced on Thursday the winner for each team in the 2015-16 ECHL Fantasy Team, presented by The MeiGray Group, as well as the goaltenders who will be participating for each of the League’s 28 teams in the Golden Goalie Program.

South Carolina defenseman Joey Leach was named South Carolina's ECHL Fantasy Team member, while Vitek Vanecek was selected as the Stingrays Golden Goalie.

Leach, 23, has skated in 32 games for the Stingrays, registering nine points (four goals, five assists) to go along with 47 penalty minutes. He has posted a team-best mark of +18 this season. The Wadena, Saskatchewan native is in his third professional season and was originally a draft pick of the Calgary Flames.

Vanecek, 19, is in his first professional season. A second round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2014, Vanecek has posted a 6-6-2 record on the season with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .943 save percentage and one shutout. He has claimed ECHL honors multiple times this season, including earning Goaltender of the Week honors for November 9-15. He was also named the ECHL's Rookie of the Month in November. Vanecek was away from the team for the majority December while skating with Czech Republic's World Junior Championship team.

Fans had the opportunity to vote on ECHL.com for one player on each ECHL member team’s ballot to help select the 2015-16 Fantasy Team. The winning player will wear a special ECHL Fantasy Team jersey at an upcoming home game.

A goaltender for each team will also participate in the MeiGray Golden Goalie Program. The starting goaltender for each team on the preselected date will wear a special jersey.

Both the Fantasy Team skater and the Golden Goalie will wear a specially-designed jersey at a predetermined home game between Jan. 22-Feb. 23.

Each of the Fantasy Team skater and MeiGray goaltender jerseys will be available for bid through The MeiGray Group. Jerseys will be available for bid starting on March 3 and running through March 24.